LETTER #2 - MTC PROVO, UT

Hello everyone! 
I've been in the mtc now a little over a week. Its weird the days go by really slow and seem like they take forever, 

but then the weeks fly by. My daily schedule now is get up at 6, b.o.m. study at 7, breakfast, class, lunch, class, 

dinner, class! sometimes there are devotionals and firesides too and we have a 45 minute gym period so thats always 

good. I usually play volleyball with all the tongans and samoans, they accept me more now that they now I have 

polynesian blood in me ha. This week we had two devotionals and we heard from Dallin H. Oaks and yesterday Jeffery 

R. Holland came and spoke to us. It's so cool being able to be right there and having them talk directly to you as 

a missionary. I wrote a letter last week after I made the mistake of erasing my whole email. So hopefully you got 

that! My branch is the international branch and there are only 4 of us who are actually from america. It feels like 

i'm on an exchange again being around all the different cultures and hearing all the different languages. When I got 

here they put us on the 4th(top) floor of our building and told us we would be staying there, even though our whole 

zone was down on the 2nd floor. Then two nights ago they said they wanted us to move down the the 2nd floor. It was 

so awesome; I had everything unpacked and got to pack it all up again, take it downstairs, and unpack again!! Now we 

are on the same floor as all the polys and we pretty much get complaints everynight from the missionaries below us 

and above us saying they are too loud at night. You're supposed to be in your rooms at 1015 and in bed by 1030. Most 

of the tongans don't go to bed until way later so they're always up singing, laughing, and wrestling or something. 

Its funny to hear all of them speak english and they are so enthusiastic about everything. I don't think they really 

know my name, they just call me New Zealand but thats ok. Last night I went to the pull-up bar which is right outside 

of their rooms on the wall. They always work out right there for the first part of the night. Then I went and started 

doing stuff and somehow it turned into me doing something, then one of them having to do it. Then them doing something, 

and me having to do it. It was pretty funny. They are all a whole lot bigger then I am though ha. Classes have been 

going good. I am learning a ton and its hard to remember everything and be able to use it all the teach. You take 

so many notes and study so much its hard to retain everything, I think I'm getting the most important stuff though. 
Our class got split in half, it was actually kind of sad. We had 14 now its just 7 since some of the other class left 

this week so they put the rest in there. Now there are 2  of us americans, a brazilian, samoan, chinese, and Kirtibati 

elder in the class. Then we have the 2 american sisters. Its lame that I'm the only one speaking german in my mission 

and I never even get to speak to anyone and actually practice. Someone just told me I can schedule a teaching 

appointment with a german speaking r.m. to learn more so maybe i'll do that. I was coming back from dinner the other 

night and saw a guy dressed in regular clothes with a backpack on just waiting outside our building and when I got 

closer I realized it was Kevin. He actually teaches in the same building I have class, just up stairs so thats good 

to know.  He gave me that box and told me where I could find him here. The muffins were way good and everyone loved 

them. I felt like I was at home almost. My companion elder Bodhaine got a huge thing of brownies that same day so 

everyone was in our room that night eating whatever we had ha. As soon as anyone sees food or even smells it everyone 

is in your room. Dinner is at 5 and we go to bed at 1030 so by that time everyone is pretty much dying for food. The 

have mixed feelings about the MTC, i'm learning a lot and I know I need to be here. Its just there are so many random 

weird rules and things it makes it kind of annoying. I'm making the best of it though and focusing on the good. My 

motto while being here is D&C 11:18...I think thats what it is. I don't have my scriptures here. It says 

something like "Keep my commandments, hold your peace, and appeal unto my spirit" so thats what I'm doing! Its really 

cool when you actually get to go teach investigators(who are really just members that come to volunteer). You feel 

like you're really teaching though and you can always feel the spirit really strong. I just can't wait to get out 

to the field. Its crazy Rakai is going to New Zealand. Good luck with all that and just work your hardest and you'll 

make it. There will only be 3 kids at home...thats a weird thought. The timer is at 3 mintues so i'm gonna wrap this 

up. I love you all and hope everything is going good. Letters are the best to get because I can read them and respond 

anytime. Emails are hard because of the timer. So write letters! also someone get me james's address because I dont 

have it for some reason ha. 
Everyone have a good week!! 
Elder Puriri
 

TERI AND MOM

This is Teri Iverson, the woman who is partly responsible for helping Isaac to achieve the destiny of Berlin.

It was October of 2005 when Teri invited Isaac to go to Rotaract - RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Association.  On that weekend he met exchange students from everywhere.  On that weekend he came home and announced he was going to do a foreign exchange and he was going to go to Germany.

Foreign Exchange?  Germany?  Why Germany and what is a foreign exchange.  Over the course of time we have learned the answer to both of those questions.

Now if Isaac would just write us a letter or send us an email we could update the blog with his missionary moments.

THIS MATTERS TO ELDER ISAAC

Yes his mission is his focus but he followed RSL closely and they're win would excite him.  So it goes on the blog as part of the history of his mission.  As a family we all would like to have been part of the celebration but that happened 300 miles to the north. 

Utah Celebrates Real Salt Lake Day

Thousands of fans celebrate MLS Cup

By James Edward

Deseret News

Published: Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009 12:59 a.m. MST 

 

SANDY — Tuesday was another day of celebration for Real Salt Lake, and they did plenty of it. They celebrated their MLS Cup title at the Governor's Mansion, on the steps of the state Capitol, in a police-escorted parade along State Street and then again at a rally at Rio Tinto Stadium in front of nearly 5,000 fans.

It was the perfect ending to an improbable playoff run that culminated in beating the Los Angeles Galaxy at Qwest Field in the MLS championship.

"This is a day I want to honor the team. This team earned it; no one gave it to them," said Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan on the steps of the Capitol. "In our galaxy, these are the stars."

Gov. Gary R. Herbert capped the formalities on the south steps of the Utah State Capitol by declaring Nov. 24, 2009, as Real Salt Lake Day. "This really is a Cinderella story, a remarkable event. If it was made into a movie, we'd say only in Hollywood, but this is reality. This is Real Salt Lake," said Herbert.

Earlier in the afternoon Herbert paid tribute to the entire RSL team at the Governor's Mansion, and then did so again at the Capitol along with Dolan and Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker.

Dave Checketts was also on hand at the Capitol and thanked the fans and players for their role in bringing the championship to Utah. "It is wonderful to be here today and celebrate with you bringing the MLS Cup championship home to the great people of the state of Utah," said RSL's owner. "One of the great runs in sports history to become champion of the world." Checketts immediately joked that he knows there are other leagues in the world, "but they don't matter today."

Checketts presented Becker with an MLS Champions scarf, and RSL captain Kyle Beckerman then declared to the fans that he hopes this would be the first of many championships. "We're starting to scratch the surface of this team; it's going to be scary next year," said Beckerman.

After the honors in the political setting, the party began. The players and coaching staff piled into 14 Chevy Suburbans and paraded down State Street as motorcycles from the Sandy police escorted them the entire way.

"It felt like rock star treatment — everybody was on the street yelling at us and cheering, it just goes to show the fans of Salt Lake come out and support their teams," said defender Nat Borchers.

Robbie Findley, who scored RSL's lone goal in regulation in the MLS Cup and who also buried one of the team's five penalty kicks, said the fan turnout all over the city was the highlight of his day.  "I've definitely never been a part of something like that, it was cool for all the people to step out of their office buildings like that just to see us by. It means a lot. I won't forget it," said Findley.

The caravan was greeted at Rio Tinto Stadium by several hundred fans, and by the time the official festivities began at the stadium at 5:50 p.m. there were nearly 5,000 fans cheering on the players as they walked out of the tunnel and onto the stage at midfield.

Checketts, Dolan, head coach Jason Kreis and seven different players addressed the fans during the 50-minute celebration, each one thanking them for their support. Not surprisingly the biggest cheers of the evening were reserved for the playoff hero, keeper Nick Rimando. "You guys have supported us all the way through, you're the reason we're here, you're the reason we have the cup. To walk out in Seattle and see red in patches all over that stadium, was awesome," said Rimando.

LETTER #1 - MTC PROVO, UT

Hello Family,

I feel pretty bad right now, I wrote this huge email to you and went to push send except I kind of missed and pushed a different button and my email was gone.  I was just under pressure from that big red timer counting down.  So I will try to remember what I typed so this letter will be pretty long.

The MTC so far has been overwhelming.  The first night they have elders teach people in front of us.  Then the elders leave and we had to finish the lessons.  It made me feel really inadequate to be serving the Lord.  I hope that feeling fades.

I am in the International District so almost everyone is from outside the US.  There are 4 of us from America out of about 80 I think.  The rest are learning English and are advanced in their English.  Elder Bodhaine, from North Carolina, is my companion.  He will be serving in the Belgium, Brussels/Netherlands French speaking mission.  Sister Clark from Florida will serve there too.  Her companion, Sister Cutler is from Provo and will serve in Genieva Switzerland French speaking. 

(Sorry about my hand writing, I'm in a hurry and trying to write a lot.)

In my class there are kids from Samoa, Kitabes...or something, another island in the South Pacific, Holland, Hong Kong, Spain and other places. 

My daily schedule is...up at 6...breakfast at 7...class at 8...lunch at 12...class at 1...dinner at 5...class at 6...back home by 9:15...bed at 10:30.  Its a lot so by 10:30 you're dying to go to bed. 

I keep seeing Garett's brother Jeremy and I saw Jordan too.  I ran into Eric yesterday which was comforting.  He told me about his first few days and its how I'm feeling so I'm not worried.

I'm excited to be here and its cool to feel the spirit all the time.  I'm really sorry I can't write more.  I won't mess up next week with the email.  Pray for me, Eric and Greg as we are all praying for you. 

I love you all.

Isaac 

BECOMING A WARRIOR

On November 16, 2009 Isaac was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Ra and I, Asa and Hamilton, and President Hal Anderson were there to experience the transformation of Isaac Olsen Ahmu Puriri to Elder Puriri.

We entered President Anderson's office with quiet anticipation.  He spoke to us for a few moments then he and Ra placed their hands on Isaac's head.  President Anderson blessed him with many things including the gift of tongues and the gift of communication.  The room filled with the spirit as I'm sure Isaac's Great Grandfather, Olsen Ahmu, was there to preside over the blessing.

On Isaac's next birthday it will be twenty years since Isaac was blessed as a baby by Patriarch Olsen Ahmu.  The blessing was pronounced in Samoan as Grandpa Ahmu was an ordained Patriarch for the Samoan people.

As President Anderson closed the setting apart for Isaac, we all remained seated and silent.  Isaac stood and fell into the arms of his father.  Ra embraced and held him up as Isaac was enveloped by the armor of God.  Ra would later explain that he felt as if he were holding a Warrior going off to battle.  It was a long 3 or 4 minutes before Isaac could let go of his father, stand without shaking and assume his role as missionary for The Church of Jesus Chirst of Latter Day Saints.

This was an incredible experience.  

CALL TO SERVE